Parents as Partners Online 2011 Acknowledgments

Parents as Partners Online (PPO) was a six week event that featured over fifty inspirational talks on various parent education and Suzuki related topics. This unique program was intended to nurture parents, whether new or veterans to the Suzuki Method.

Response to PPO was much more than originally anticipated, with 6,552 parents and teachers enrolled! Such a turnout reflects a keen interest in continued parent education, plus a strong desire for garnering more practice ideas to implement along one’s Suzuki journey.

Sessions ranged in length from three to twenty-five minutes and were available via the SAA website to allow participants to view things at their convenience. A variety of topics were featured, including:

Talks about teens and talks by teens

Practice perspectives from parents and creative practice strategies from teachers

Discussion of the transition to independent practice and the changing roles of all parts of the Suzuki triangle

The importance of listening and magical ways to incorporate this much needed component into one’s daily routine

Balancing busy schedules and suggestions for how to manage frustrations

Understanding the value of review and utilizing repetition

Interesting new research on talent; seeing the value of observations

Recital preparation in relation to stage fright

Teacher appreciation with trust and respect

The WHY? series on subjects such as Tone, Posture, “Not” the New Piece, Suzuki, and Classical Music

The importance of group classes and building community

How Suzuki study is not just for the young

Insights into personality styles

A glimpse into various Summer Institutes

Opportunities for dialogue during the PPO also existed, with participants having the option of posting comments following a talk. Feedback ranged from:

“I now have a renewed desire to share precious moments with my daughter, as we both continue to develop and increase our joy in music”

…to…

“Your kids must secretly treasure your practices. While they may gripe and groan, you are silently establishing an amazing relationship with them. I’m sure music will bind you all together for life. At the same time you’re establishing a way to be a team conquering difficulties as well as rejoicing successes!”

…to…

“What a great reminder for us all to keep perspective as we continue on our journey with Dr. Suzuki’s philosophy. It is not an easy thing in today’s society, but the long term vision is so important.”

Teachers were encouraged to incorporate PPO into their studios by having casual parent get-togethers, sharing ideas from the videos, arranging follow-up discussions or even challenging fellow studio parents to watch a post a day!

“For the sake of the children, let us educate them from the cradle to have a noble mind, a high sense of values, and splendid ability.”—Shinichi Suzuki (Nurtured by Love)

In addition to the recorded presentations, a live call-in show, “Time with Teri”, was offered for parents to ask any Suzuki related question of current SAA Board chair Teri Einfeldt. A transcript of the call was made available to all PPO subscribers following the show.

PPO had the unique component of “Tales from the Heart”, which encouraged participants to share a personal story of how Suzuki lessons positively touched their lives. Inspirational quotes by Shinichi Suzuki, musicians, philosophers and educators were listed with each talk. And, weekly drawings were also done, with recipients receiving a free copy of Winning Ways or a gift certificate generously donated by SHAR Products.

Parents as Partners Online proved to be an enriching experience for all! The SAA was pleased to be able to offer such an educational program and extends a special thank you to all those who helped make the 2011 Parents as Partners Online project possible, either financially or by contributing a talk. Additional appreciation goes to SAA webmaster Jenny Ferenc, who helped produce the event online, and PPO coordinator Christie Felsing.

Featured Sponsor:

SHAR Products

Additional Sponsorships:

Connolly Music Company
American Suzuki Institute and Patricia D’Ercole, Director

“One of the greatest dignities of human kind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation.”—Fred Rogers

“Our life is worth living only if we love one another and comfort one another. I searched for the meaning of art in music, and it was through music that I found my work and my purpose in life. Once art to me was something far off, unfathomable and unattainable…. But I discovered that the real essence of art was not something high up and far off. It was right inside my ordinary daily self. The very way one greets people and expresses oneself is art. If a musician wants to become a fine artist, he must first become a finer person. If he does this, his worth will appear. It will appear in everything he does, even in what he writes. Art is not in some far-off place. A work of art is the expression of a person’s whole personality, sensibility and ability.”—Shinichi Suzuki (Nurtured by Love)